Score — @15: 2 — @13: 4
Timer — 8:08
---
Viraj turned back—
No one was there.
"What was that feeling? That terrified aura… what was it?"
No answer. Not yet.
---
On the court — Viraj. Surya. Roshan.
Viraj—
"What do we do now?"
---
Surya stepped near the line.
Looked at @13's team—and gave a dangerous smile.
"I am coming… my toys."
He stepped into the court.
Tried toward Vinayak—
Vinayak stepped back.
Tried toward Lakshya—
Lakshya moved aside and said—
"A torch without light—do you really think you can touch me?"
Surya didn't even look at him.
He moved toward Prem—
Tried—
Nothing—
Then—
A grip.
Viraj—
"What—when did he get there?"
Vinayak—from the waist—clean hold.
But—
Surya tightened both hands—
One jerk—
Vinayak's grip—
Slipped.
Surya slipped out from below—
Toward the line—
Vinayak tried again—
Surya—line touch.
Whistle.
---
Vinayak—
"What? How did he escape my grip?"
Surya—
Gave a smile to the entire @13 team.
---
Score — @15: 3 — @13: 4
Timer — 7:44
Shubham entered the court.
---
Viraj went to Surya—
"How did you do that?"
Surya—
"The one who has poison… also has its antidote."
---
Viraj—
That means—Surya understands grips so well that he knows how to break them. The antidote to his own strength… lies within him.
And then—
"But what do I have? What is my unique strength?"
And then—
Click.
"I get it."
"@13's mastermind is playing psychology with us. He has built his team's foundation so solid from all sides that when any raider enters, they see no loophole. No entry point. And at that exact moment, only one thought comes to mind—'Leave it. Go back.'"
"That's why Vedant came back. Shubham came back. Roshan came back."
A pause.
"But Surya… Surya didn't come back. Because—"
Surya's image flashed in his mind—
Honey badger.
Fearless. Unstoppable. He doesn't care who stands in front of him. He just—
Reads. Fights. Enjoys.
"That psychological trap didn't work on Surya. Because he has no fear. No confusion. He just plays."
And then—
"But… can I fall into this trap?"
---
THUD.
"GET READY."
Surya.
Viraj snapped back to reality—took position—
---
Lakshya stepped near the line.
Smiling—
"Now I'll wipe out your entire team—right now."
Viraj looked at him—
"Come then. Let me show you."
Then—
Viraj and Surya—
Felt something—
From the left side.
They turned—
Shubham.
He was standing there. Looking at Lakshya.
But—
No sound. No expression. No movement.
Just—
Silence.
And that silence—
Was more dangerous than a hundred words.
Like a shark—still in the water—watching its prey.
---
Lakshya stepped into the raid.
---
— Chapter 26 End —